A Look Back at the...

Pioneer-Tribune Archives

50 Years Ago June 21, 1962

• The Manistique harbor, the only one in Upper Michigan open the year around, is visited annually by some 100 pleasure boats in addition to big lake freighters and the Ann Arbor Railroad Ferry. Yacht facilities now include 300 feet of docking space for visiting crafts, gasoline, diesel, fuel, water and electricity are available, and there is a launching ramp and a marine railway. The harbor area also has a clubhouse equipped with television and radio, a lounge and a kitchen. Recent deepening of the harbor by the Army Corps of Engineers now allows big lake freighters to dock in the harbor, and their visits are expected to increase as facilities are developed. The Ann Arbor Railroad has a fleet of five carferries that operate between Frankfort, Mich. and four west bank ports – Manistique, Menominee, Kewaunee and Manitowoc. They are currently making about three trips a week between Manistique and Frankfort, and those interested in making the trip should call the local office of the railroad, phone 741. Rates are reasonable, and food is served aboard the boats.

• A State Police corporal and three troopers have been cited for bravery and meritorious service by the department’s board of awards at East Lansing headquarters. Among the troopers was Hugh N. Fish of Manistique. Trooper Fish was cited for his investigation of a house fire which led to a confession by its owner that he had set the blaze to obtain $6,500 in insurance to pay off debts. He was bound to circuit court for trial on a charge of arson.

35 Years Ago June 16, 1977

• The Schoolcraft County Board of Commissioners Tuesday night gave the nod to purchase 4.9 acres of land west of the county airport and approved a short-term loan to finance a building to house the first Schoolcraft County fair in 44 years. The board agreed to buy the land in the pines area of Manistique Township at a price of $15,000, with $5,000 down and the remainder to be paid in installments on a land contract. The owner of the acreage is Marvin Curran.

• Ray Oswald lost both home and business in a single fire on the west side of Indian Lake last Thursday afternoon. “I was in the house getting a haircut from my wife,” said Oswald, owner of the Westshore Campers Service bait and boat shop. “My stepson was fixing an outboard motor in the garage, and the motor backfired I guess.” Sparks ignited the gasoline and flames quickly spread in one corner of the garage, Oswald said. Efforts to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher failed and the Inwood Township Fire Department was called to the scene at 3:10 p.m. All occupants and vehicles were removed as the fire spread to the residence and the shop facing County. Rd. 445. Cliff DeMars of Cooks, Inwood fire chief, said the house and the business were a total loss, but no dollar estimate had been made as of Tuesday.

25 Years Ago June 25, 1987

• Work is now underway on a new 40-unit motel on US-2 east adjacent to the Big Boy Restaurant. Goldthorpe Enterprises, of McMillan, is putting up the wooden frame structure. The same firm has built similar motels in Newberry and St. Ignace. The building permit issued for the project lists the cost of construction at an estimated $317,000, plus additional costs for electrical work and plumbing.

• Rob Ryan of Manistique was the unexpected winner at the Michigan Coaches All-Star Basketball Games held last Saturday at Central Michigan University. Ryan bought a lucky program which qualified him to compete in the half-time “shoot-out”. He made a lay-up for a T-shirt, a free throw to win a large pizza and an outside shot for a game ball. The only miss he had was a half court shot for a VCR. U.P. fans cheering him on included Duke Jacobetti of Negaunee, and Norm and Bette Jahn and daughter Bette, Cheryl Casey, John Senger and Chris Trebilcock (who claimed he was Ryan’s manager) all of Manistique. Ryan stopped at the game with friends Jacobetti and Senger on the way to attend the Bill Frieder Basketball Camp at the University of Michigan.

10 Years Ago June 20, 2002

• Organizers say they are pleased with the success of Schoolcraft County’s first Native American Celebration and are already making plans to turn it into an annual event. Last week’s program featured ceremonies, lectures, workshops and community wide art exhibits. The celebrations was funded through a $9,500 Rural Arts and Culture Grant received by the Manistique Area Schools from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

• A design concept has been approved and additional work authorized, but the Manistique Area Schools Board of Education has some number crunching to do after learning that the new stadium, football field and track are running more than $125,000 over budget. The project will be paid for through the proceeds of the $1.78 million bond issue approved by district voters on Feb. 26. Approximately $1,810,000 will be available for the work, including bond revenue and earned interest. Unfortunately, initial budget estimates presented at Monday’s meeting forecast a total project cost of $1,938,000.